Orthotic cover

ABSTRACT

A cover for an orthotic device is provided. More specifically, a cover for an orthotic device is provided that provides one or more useful benefits to a wearer&#39;s skin. Such cover may also provide one or more aesthetic and/or functional benefits to a wearer when used.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A cover for an orthotic device is provided. More specifically, a cover for an orthotic device is provided that provides one or more useful benefits to a wearer's skin. Such cover may also provide one or more aesthetic benefits to a wearer when used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Use of orthotic devices for the recovery or protection of a wearer's limbs is well known. Such use covers the legs and arms of a wearer. Such devices today are ubiquitous in both genders and at all ages, especially for those ages in which heavy sports participation occurs, about 6 to 18.

Some manufacturers have produced covers for the orthotic devices that are aesthetic in nature but provide little or no utilitarian purpose. One manufacturer, Myrecovers, Inc., uses a cover that covers, completely, the walking boot or orthotic that a wearer wears. These covers appear to be merely aesthetic in nature and do not provide any known benefits to the wearer. Also, because they cover the entire orthotic, i.e., walking boot, such covering inhibits use by a wearer in any sports training, sport or rigorous use.

Many wearers of orthotic devices have one or more skin related issues which go untreated during the wear of an orthotic device. Such skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, edema and the like are often coupled with use of orthotics. When such orthotics are applied, their use mitigates a muscle, joint and/or bone injury but can exacerbate an existing skin condition.

What is therefore needed is a cover for an orthotic device that mitigates a wearer's skin conditions while also allowing a wearer's full unrestricted use of the orthotic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides a cover to a stabilizing device for a limb. The invention provides a cover attachable to the stabilizing device whereby the cover provides additional attributes to the stabilizing device.

Preferably, the cover herein comprises at least one aesthetic feature including but not limited to color, texture, patterns and combinations thereof. Covers herein may aesthetically match a wearer's dress, favorite sports team and the like. Especially for athletes who are injured, a cover can be match an injured wearer's favorite sport or even their own team, e.g., their high school team and colors.

In most embodiments herein, the cover comprises at least one sensory attribute including but not limited to texture, dryness, softness, and combinations thereof. It is important to note that the cover herein held in close proximity to a wearer's skin, i.e., actually touching it whereby its attributes are immediately felt.

For example, the cover may be configured to wick or remove moisture away from a wearer's limb positioned within the stabilizing device. This is especially comforting for wearer's during the hotter months and for wearer's that remain engaged in physical training or a sports activity while wearing the stabilizing device.

The cover herein may be used to cool a wearer's said limb positioned within the stabilizing device. It may also be used to warm a wearer's limb by insulation and/or a warming effect of the cover itself.

Importantly, the cover is preferably moisture-resistant. That is, it operates to resist the absorption of fluid and may also provide a barrier against fluid absorption.

The cover herein may fully cover the stabilizing device. It may substantially cover the stabilizing device. Or, it may partially cover the stabilizing device.

The stabilizing device herein may come in multiple configurations and fit different parts of a wearer's body. For example, stabilizing device may be configured to fit a wearer's forearm. It may be configured to a wearer's lower leg including the foot and ankle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view the orthotic insert used in a typical orthotic device herein;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the orthotic insert of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the insert of FIG. 1 placed within an orthotic device of the kind used herein;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of an orthotic insert herein with a cover thereon placed next to an orthotic device;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the orthotic insert of FIG. 4 positioned within the orthotic device;

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the covered orthotic insert securely positioned within the orthotic device; and

FIG. 7 shows a planar view of the cover for an orthotic device herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a cover that at least partially covers an orthotic device for a limb. The invention provides a cover attachable to the stabilizing device whereby the cover provides additional attributes to the stabilizing device.

Preferably, the cover herein comprises at least one aesthetic feature including but not limited to color, texture, patterns and combinations thereof. Covers herein may aesthetically match a wearer's dress, favorite sports team and the like. Especially for athletes who are injured, a cover can be match an injured wearer's favorite sport or even their own team, e.g., their high school team and colors.

In most embodiments herein, the cover comprises at least one sensory attribute including but not limited to texture, dryness, softness, and combinations thereof. It is important to note that the cover herein held in close proximity to a wearer's skin, i.e., actually touching it whereby its attributes are immediately felt.

For example, the cover may be configured to wick or remove moisture away from a wearer's limb positioned within the stabilizing device. This is especially comforting for a wearer during the hotter months and for wearers that remain engaged in physical training or a sports activity while wearing the stabilizing device.

The cover herein may be used to cool a wearer's limb positioned within the stabilizing device. It may also be used to warm a wearer's limb by insulation and/or a warming effect of the cover itself.

Importantly, the cover is preferably moisture-resistant. That is, it operates to resist the absorption of fluid and may also provide a barrier against fluid absorption.

The cover herein may fully cover the stabilizing device. It may substantially cover the stabilizing device. Or, it may partially cover the stabilizing device.

The stabilizing device herein may come in multiple configurations and fit different parts of a wearer's body. For example, stabilizing device may be configured to fit a wearer's forearm. It may be configured to a wearer's lower leg including the foot and ankle.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the orthotic insert 20 is part of a typical orthotic device 10 herein. Orthotic insert 20 is the soft padding that a wearer's limb (not shown) directly touches and that which hold's a wearer's limb in place within orthotic device 10; e.g., a walking boot. Orthotic insert 20 has an outer portion and an inner portion opposite to the outer portion. The inner portion of orthotic insert 20 is that portion that directly touches the skin of its wearer. It is also the portion of orthotic insert 20 that is most likely to cause irritation to a wearer's skin. By the term “directly touches” it is meant herein that orthotic insert 20 is placed into direct or substantially direct contact with a wearer's skin. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the orthotic insert 20 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of orthotic insert 20 of FIG. 1 placed within orthotic device 10 of the kind used herein. As noted hereinabove, orthotic insert 20 fits within walking boot 22. Walking boot 22, in the design shown, may secure orthotic insert 20 therein by straps as shown. Other designs of orthotic device 10 may provide different securing mechanisms of orthotic insert 20 within walking boot 22. Such securing mechanism forms no part of the invention herein. It is sufficient that orthotic insert 20 is secured within walking boot 22 to form orthotic device 10. Suitable manufacturers of walking boots 22 as used herein are Steplite, DonJoy™, AirCast®, Össur®, Darco®, DeRoyal® and the like.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of orthotic insert 20 herein with cover 25 thereon placed next to walking boot 22. Preferably, cover 25 covers the inner portion of orthotic insert 20 and the outer portion thereof fully or substantially fully. It is important that cover 25 be in contact with the skin of the wearer of orthotic device 10. Such contact is meant to relieve the wearer of skin irritations that a wearer naturally has or irritations that a wearer develops as a result of wearing orthotic device 10.

Cover 25 is designed to help relieve the irritating symptoms resident in common skin conditions. Some of those skin conditions include, but are not limited to, eczema, dry skin, dermatitis, skin rashes, and psoriasis.

Eczema is a “grab-bag term,” which Alexiades-Armenakas said comes from the Greek word for “boils over.” There are three common forms of eczema. For example, Atopic dermatitis is the most common and is seen most often in children. One to three percent of adults compared to 10 to 20 percent of children have this long-term genetic disease, which causes itchy rashes in the crux of the elbows and behind the knees. Allergic contact dermatitis begins to show in adulthood and is caused by environmental factors such as cosmetic agents, fragrances, irritating cloth or clothing and the metals in jewelry. Lastly, nummular dermatitis looks like red and flaky coin-shaped patches of skin and is due to dry skin. This can be very itchy and easily irritable when abutted in close contact to an irritating surface, e.g., cloth. Typically, treatment of any of the above skin conditions provides that one moisturizes the skin, builds up the skin barrier and avoid drying out the skin, and then perhaps use corticosteroids if prescribed.

Dermatitis symptoms vary with all different forms of the condition. They range from skin rashes to bumpy rashes or including blisters. Although every type of dermatitis has different symptoms, there are certain signs that are common for all of them, including redness of the skin, swelling, itching and skin lesions with sometimes oozing and scarring. Also, the area of the skin on which the symptoms appear tends to be different with every type of dermatitis, whether on the neck, wrist, forearm, thigh or ankle Although the location may vary, the primary symptom of this condition is itchy skin. Symptoms of this type of dermatitis may be very intense and may come and go. Irritant contact dermatitis is usually more painful than itchy.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. It is typically a lifelong condition. There is currently no cure, but various treatments can help to control the symptoms. Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological signs or symptoms. The name psoriasis is from the Greek language, meaning roughly “itching condition” (psora “itch”+-sis“action, condition”). In plaque psoriasis, skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet, and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint.

The disorder is a chronic recurring condition that varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and can be seen as an isolated sign. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Between 10% and 30% of all people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.

Cover 25 is preferably formed from a cloth material or hybrid cloth material that is wrapped about the outer and inner portions of insert 20. Alternatively, cover 25 may be substantially wrapped about the inner portion of insert 20 and partially wrapped about the outer portion of insert 20. Also alternatively, cover 25 may be substantially wrapped about the outer portion of insert 20 and partially wrapped within the inner portion of insert 20.

Cover 25 has a main covering portion 26 and an edged portion 27 that borders covering portion 26. Covering portion 26 covers insert 20 while edged portion 27 clings to insert 20 in a manner that affixes cover 25 to insert 20. Thus, edged portion 27 is preferably made from a stretchable material like rubber or some other suitable elastic. In practice, cover 25 is stretched about edged portion 27 when placing cover 25 onto insert 20.

Covering portion 26 comprises one or more materials that is suitable for placement next to human skin and also human skin that has or is susceptible to one or more skin irritating conditions; e.g., eczema, psoriasis and the like. Suitable materials for covering portion 26 may comprise fabrics from the family of synthetic materials and specifically from the family of polyamides, and most notably nylon. Other suitable synthetic fabrics may include rayon, microfiber, spandex, polyester, and combinations thereof.

Covering portion 26 may also comprise one or more fabrics from the family of natural fibers. Such fibers may include wool, silk, cotton and combinations thereof. Covering portion 26 may also comprise a combination of one or more natural fibers and one or more synthetic materials.

Covering portion 26 of cover 25 may be hypo allergenic. That is, it may be formed from one or more suitable materials that purposely reduces or eliminates allergic reactions to the skin of particularly sensitive wearers. Cover 25 may also be configurable to receive one or more applied layers either during manufacturing or, for example, in post manufacturing in a spray. For example, a Teflon® coating may be applied to covering portion 26 of cover 25, such coating providing a non-stick, moisture resistant surface for the wicking away of moisture and sweat.

Importantly, cover 25 may also comprise agents built into the fabric thereof or separately applied post manufacturing thereof. Such agents may be designed to provide anti-fungal benefit; namely, an anti-fungal agent may be applied to cover 25 that restricts or eliminates the growth of one or more common fungi. Another useful agent that can be applied limits or eliminates foul odors from orthotic device 10. Such an agent may comprise carbon, cyclodextrin, odor maskers and the like.

Exemplary fabrics of the type and kind contemplated herein include those disclosed in WO2011143370, WO2010129923, WO2012151213, WO2011143369, US2011/0314585, US20110016602, WO2005110135, U.S. Pat. No. 8,133,824, WO2005102083, and US20130061366.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the orthotic insert 20 of FIG. 4 positioned within orthotic device 10. Importantly, FIG. 5 shows a wearer's limb 30 positioned within orthotic device 10. Wearer's limb 30 is placed within orthotic insert 20 and directly touches wearer's limb 30. Preferably, cover 25 touches substantially all of the wearer's skin of the portion of wearer's limb 30 positioned within orthotic device 10. In this position, cover 25 confers its benefits directly to wearer's limb 30 as noted hereinabove. FIG. 6 shows a front view of orthotic device 10 of FIG. 5 of the covered orthotic insert 20 securely positioned within orthotic device 10. In such figure, orthotic device 10 is strapped and secure about wearer's limb 30.

FIG. 7 provides a planar view of cover 25. Cover 25, as noted hereinabove, comprises covering portion 26 which is that portion that partially, substantially or fully covers insert 20 of orthotic device 10. Covering portion 26 comprises at least one of the materials or fabrics noted hereinabove. Also shown is edged portion 28 that is typically elastic and therefore able to bind cover 25 to insert 10. Edged portion 28 is the area of attachment of covering portion 26 to insert 20. Such area of attachment may use adhesive, elastic, Velcro® or other known attachment means known by persons of skill in the art.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An orthotic device for a limb, comprising: a. An insert; b. A walking boot; and c. A cover attachable to said insert of said orthotic device whereby said cover provides additional benefits to said orthotic device.
 2. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises at least one aesthetic feature including but not limited to color, texture, patterns and combinations thereof.
 3. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises at least one sensory attribute including but not limited to texture, dryness, softness, and combinations thereof.
 4. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover removes moisture from said wearer's limb positioned within said insert of said orthotic device.
 5. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover cools said wearer's limb positioned within said orthotic device.
 6. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover enables said wearer's limb to be warm.
 7. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover is moisture-resistant.
 8. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover fully covers said insert of said orthotic device.
 9. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover substantially covers said insert of said orthotic device.
 10. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover partially covers said insert of said orthotic device.
 11. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said orthotic device fits about a wearer's arm.
 12. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said orthotic device fits about a wearer's leg.
 13. A cover for a orthotic device, comprising: a. A covering portion; b. A fitting portion attached to said covering portion; and c. A securing portion for securing said cover to said orthotic device.
 14. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover comprises at least one aesthetic feature including but not limited to color, texture, patterns and combinations thereof.
 15. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover comprises at least one sensory attribute including but not limited to texture, dryness, softness, and combinations thereof.
 16. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover removes moisture from a wearer's said limb positioned within said insert of said orthotic device.
 17. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover cools a wearer's said limb positioned within said insert of said orthotic device.
 18. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover enables a wearer's said limb to be warm.
 19. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover is moisture-resistant.
 20. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover at least partially covers said insert of said orthotic device. 